Thiago Santos bounces back against Johnny Walker

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Thiago Santos claimed one of the most important victories of his career on Saturday, beating Johnny Walker in the main event of UFC Fight Night 193.

After suffering three consecutive defeats and undergoing serious knee reconstruction surgery, Santos had to show that he was still a player in the light heavyweight division. He did it for the most part, signaling Walker over the course of five rounds to make a unanimous decision by scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 48-47.

The 205-pound fight headlined UFC Fight Night 193, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire event was broadcast on ESPN +.

It was a methodical approach from both sides to start the fight. Santos and Walker worked to determine the strike range with limited exit, but at first it was Walker who made most of the advance while Santos threw head shots from the outside. In the end, not much happened on either side for five minutes.

The chaos escalated at the start of the second round. Walker punished Santos with a few leg kicks, and Santos shot for a takedown which led to a stampede and a savage trade. The two narrowly missed a few devastating exchanges, then settled into a groove similar to the first. Walker’s leg kicks were strong throughout the frame, while Santos came back with powerful mid-section kicks for some of the best moments after 10 minutes of action.

As the fight stretched into the third round, Santos seemed to find his rhythm striking. He caught Walker with low kicks and strong counter-kicks. Walker struggled to find his reach and spent much of the round circling around the outside of the octagon taking kicks as bruises appeared on his lead leg.

The bout touched down on the main event rounds and the chess match continued. Santos remained committed to his kicking game and also almost landed big with his hands. Walker’s offense has gone relatively silent. He attempted to attack Santos’ legs with oblique kicks. He also landed a nice right hand after Santos caught one of his kicks.

With the fight potentially to be won before the final round, the two fought for victory. They traded kicks and punches until Santos landed a huge left hook that staggered Walker. He somehow figured out that it hadn’t happened, then tried to get a great moment back on his own. Santos, however, remained sharp and focused and dodged a blow that changed the fight. Santos got a solid kick in the dying seconds of the fight.

Santos raised his hand for the first time since February 2020. He also revealed after the fight that it was the last fight of his UFC contract, and asked UFC President Dana White and matchmaker Mick Maynard more money.

โ€œFirst of all, I have to say something: people know what I went through (with my injuries and my losses),โ€ Santos said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I fight every day to be here, and I won’t stop.”

Full UFC Fight Night 193 results include:

  • Thiago Santos beat. Johnny Walker via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
  • Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus Ends Without Competition (Accidental Heads Clash) – Round 1, 3:43
  • Niko Price def. Alex Oliveira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Krzysztof Jotko beats. Misha Cirkunov by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Alexander Hernandez beat. Mike Breeden by KO (punch) – Round 1, 1:20
  • Jared Gordon defeated Joe Solecki by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Casey O’Neill beat. Antonina Shevchenko via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:47
  • Karol Rosa beat. Bethe Correia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
  • Jamie Mullarkey beat. Devonte Smith via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:51
  • Douglas Silva de Andrade beat. Gaetano Pirrello via KO (punches) – Round 1, 2:04
  • Stรฉphanie Egger beat. Shanna Young via TKO (elbow) – Round 2, 2:22
  • Alejandro Perez beat. Johnny Eduardo via submission (armband) – Round 2, 4:13



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